Ordering 2 prams online - returning one - good idea?

[LottieB1994]

We are so torn between the bugaboo fox 5 and dragonfly and have been for a while.

Our current flat (we are moving in the next year) has limited space and in an ideal world to make a decision on the pram, we would like to order both online, assemble both and take a look at them in our flat / getting them through our front door and where they’d be stored.

There would be no outside use of the pram at all, it would literally just be assembled to look at and then re packed.

thinking of ordering from Pramworld or John Lewis in the sale.

Has anyone ever had experience returning an unused pram but one that had been assembled and put back down? Don’t want to run into issues so might not do this if risky!

thank you!

No experience but they are under no obligation to take it back and refund you unless it's faulty so you are running that risk

@LizzeyBenett thanks but I think that’s if you’ve bought in store, if you buy online there are different laws I believe enabling you to return within 14 day cooling off period.

I don’t think you’d get away with this. What if you accidentally scuff something as you put it together. The store could decline the return once you’ve opened the boxes and had it all out. Tbh, I wouldn’t accept such an expensive purchase if someone else had already assembled and had a play with it.

I have a fox 5 and it needed a fair amount of assembly on the seat unit. It wouldn’t be easy to put all the components back as new.

If you’re in a flat with limited space then the last thing you want is a Bugaboo Fox. The Dragonfly is far more suited to apartment and city life.

Don’t know if it’s any help but we went to a local Mamas & Papas which had both the fox and dragonfly in stock so we could test them out. Went with the dragonfly as it’s lighter and we thought slightly less bulky but didn’t buy it from there as got it online cheaper. You can also fold the dragonfly with the bassinet in situ and I don’t think you can with the fox but may be wrong as I can’t remember!

No that’s bonkers

Also, get neither. Go play with the babyzen yoyo with the folding newborn nest option in John Lewis. You can fold whole thing and store on a large coat hook. And carry up stairs.
The bugaboo is nice, but kids use prams for 3-4 years and a large one in a small flat will get annoying very quickly. There’s a reason the babyzen is so popular in cities

I think it would be almost impossible to build, take apart and repack a whole pram in anything like its original condition. You'd have to take photos of every stage of unpacking and all to try to fit it back in. Be super careful not to bash any of the boxes or cardboard packaging.

So risky I'd say.

Can you ask on a local group if anyone has the prams you're interested in and would come round to your flat? Or would they all think you're a serial killer

They take so much assembling though - I think still in the box with out the inner packaging Tampered with you may be ok but opening, assembling and returning - too risky

What everyone else said. And the disassembly, in a flat, while (heavily?) pregnant… no sirree bob. Get a Yoyo.

I'd check that before you order, that may apply to things like double glazing, shutters etc. but maybe not to 'ordinary' items unless faulty

You don't want to end up with two prams unless you are planned ahead or tempting fate.

Would be too risky for me, unlikely you can send it back perfectly and risk of damage while assembling it. I’d buy secondhand if you’re not sure, you can always sell it on and get the other model.

I love my fox but even in a 4 bed house I hate finding space for it so I wouldn’t recommend it in a flat. Have to disagree with those recommending the yoyo though, we tried that and the dragonfly when looking for a lighter option and the dragonfly was so much nicer

If you are returning it in the same condition it arrived in which you won't be, you would have to open sealed bags to assemble them

Also, as someone who does a lot of it - it’s a pain posting oversized items. Even places that should take your parcels won’t etc etc.

Just go and look at them instore

I had a large luxe travel system which I had no end of issues with and eventually I was able to swap it for a Dragonfly. I would recommend the dragonfly to anyone. It feels substantial and has incredible storage capacity but is very easy to fold down.

defo just buy a dragonfly. The yoyo is great but the basket is very small.

As someone who worked on the baby industry, putting together prams,car seats etc, once you put a pram together it is so much harder to disassemble without a scuff or mark,& getting it back in box perfectly nigh on impossible. Also they will know the box has been opened so they will inspect it & any sign of use,a mark,scuff you may have missed will be picked up,it's not worth it

I have the Bugaboo Fox 3, it's not as easier as just getting out the box and assembling, it was quite complicated. I think it would be impossible to dismantle after and claim it had never been used.
I do however love it, the dragonfly sounds best for what you're needing x

I've got a fox 5 and wish I got the dragonfly as it's massive and so heavy to lift in a car boot. Plus they all came in millions of pieces wrapped up individually and get scratched easily. Go to a store and test it out otherwise you'll end up with two pushchairs as you wouldn't be able to get away with it unless they have some massive factory fault which they will only replace.

Yep - I’ve had this before, I made a genuine error and ordered something in the wrong size but because I’d unpacked / assembled it they wouldn’t take it back. I suspect with a firm like JL you’d probably be ok but they don’t have to take it back if you’ve opened and assembled it as they Typically can’t sell it again full price. Why wouldn’t you just go and look at them in a store?

I suggest you check both out in store and gauge it from there.

I did this from
John Lewis years ago and returned to the shop . No issues

Agree with others you'd be taking a big risk.

Check out the Joolz Aer + with cot. It's incredibly light and compact. Amazing for small flats and city life.

It’s risky. If you’re in a flat now then you want something compact. Then even if you move by that time you’ll have a toddler who will sometimes want to walk so again something light and compact is what you want. Lots of people who buy the ‘big pram’ for their babies swap to a compact stroller for the toddler years. So no way would I buy the Fox in your position. Of the 2 definitely the Dragonfly. Personally I loved the YoYo though- one piece fold even for a newborn (with the newborn pack not the bassinet), then a shoulder strap to carry it up hands free and then you can hang it on a coat hook. Roomy seat lasts well into the toddler years and beyond and it’s sturdy, I’ve had one for 7 years now!

Look at them in store, then get a big sheet of paper and cut out the assembled size. Play around with that in the flat to see if it gets through door ways etc. Work out folded sizeand use a tape measure to see if it is too wide. Lots cheaper than having 2 and being unable to return!